Category Archives: Fort Scott
Library Staff Thanks Community
Submitted by Valetta Cannon, Fort Scott Public Library
Youth Librarian and Assistant Director
“The Fort Scott Public Library staff wants to send out an enormous thank you to the businesses, organizations, and individuals who helped to make this year’s summer reading program a huge success, including the following: The City of Fort Scott, Casey’s General Store, Daylight Donuts, Domino’s Pizza, Family Video, Fort Cinema, Fort Scott Aquatic Center, Fort Scott Community College, Fort Scott Middle School VIPs, FSHS Thespian Troupe, G & W Cash Saver, The Keyhole, The Lowell Milken Center, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Walgreens, Wal-Mart, and Wendy’s, all of Fort Scott.
We also want to thank the Hammond UMC for their generous donation, and the countless people who have donated food, volunteer time, and supplies to our programs.
Thank you to Buck Run Community Center, the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, the Fort Scott Tribune, fortscott.biz, and KOMB FM for keeping the community informed about events, and to the churches, public and private schools, and daycares in our county for distributing flyers and posters to help promote the program.
As a result of all of your efforts, the library registered a total of 284 kids and 37 teens for this year’s summer reading program, with individual reading goals, met a total of 530 times by our youth.
Approximately 20 adults participated in our adult reading program, receiving goody bags.
Prizes were also awarded for completing literacy-based activities.
Together, we are helping to prevent the summer slide, encouraging patrons of all ages to read, providing educational entertainment for local families, and feeding kids snacks weekly, all at no cost to them.
We hope that through our combined efforts this year, we have helped interest local families in A Universe of Stories, which they can explore at the library every week.“
Local 7-Year Old Loves To Rodeo
Lane Murphy’s first rodeo was in 2015, at age 3, in Hume, MO, where he tried his hand at “Mutton Bustin'”, which is riding a sheep to see how long you can stay on.
He liked the challenge and later that summer, at age 4, Lane started riding with the Kansas Junior Bull Riders (KJBR).
Lane will be a second-grade student at Winfield Scott Elementary School this school year.
But like young children everywhere, he knows what he wants to do when he grows up.
Lane has hopes of being a future rodeo star.
“I want to do the same thing I’m doing now (riding in rodeos),” Lane said. “Everything except getting hurt. I want to ride as much as I can. It’s not easy.”
In 2018 Lane ended the season ranked as the No. 1 rider in Mutton Bustin’ for the JPBR; No. 1 in Mutton Bustin’ for the MJRC, and No. 1 in Mutton Bustin’ for the All Youth Rodeo Association (AYRA). Thus, earning his entry into the 2018 YBR World Championships in Abilene, TX where he finished No. 4 in the World for Mutton Bustin’, and then placing No. 7 in the 2018 National JPBR Championship that took place in Amarillo, TX.
The cowboy recently participated in the Youth Bull Riding (YBR) World Championships in Abilene, TX, where he placed 18th in the world for Calf Riding.
Currently, Lane is ranked No. 3 in Calf Riding with the JPBR, and No. 3 in Calf Riding with the Missouri Junior Bull Riding Circuit (MJRC) for the 2019 rodeo season.
Lane has qualified to ride in the upcoming Junior Professional Bull Riding (JPBR) National Championship in Amarillo, TX during the month of October.
He has also been invited to ride in the International Miniature Bull Riders Association (IMBA) World Finals taking place in Las Vegas, NV in December 2019.
Every weekend the family attempts to find at least one rodeo to ride in, and even for “close” rodeos, they might have to travel hundreds of miles to rodeos in Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.
The family is currently seeking additional financial assistance through fundraising to help support his travel expenses to the National JPBR Championship in Amarillo, TX and the IMBA World Finals in Las Vegas, NV.
His family is selling t-shirts in youth and adult sizes, and his parents are accepting donations on his behalf.
Lane is the son of local residents Jaymie and Patrick Murphy who is the owner/operator of Murphy Day Work, and the grandson of life-long Fort Scott residents Pat and Janet Murphy and Jay and Julie Leek.
To purchase a t-shirt in support of Lane contact, send his mother Jaymie Murphy a text message at 620-215-5012 to order. Please include name, shirt size, and color. Monetary donations can be sent to 1210 180th Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701.
“Lane also invites you to like and follow his fan page on Facebook to keep up with videos of his rides,” his mom, Jaymie said.
Ashlea Taylor: New Special Ed. Teacher at WS
Ashlea Taylor, 29, is a new special education teacher at Winfield Scott Elementary School.
Taylor has taught pre-school children at Head Start 0-5 from September 2016-April 2019.
Her hometown is Phoenix, Arizona and she graduated from Pittsburg State University.
In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with friends and family, she said.
Is there someone who inspired you to teach?
“I have two aunts who are educators and I have always loved kids. Several family members have seen me with children and suggested it is where I belong.”
What is the best part of teaching for you?
“Learning each child’s individual way of learning and watching them experience breakthroughs in moments of doubt. “
Cobalt Open Interviews Aug. 22
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Friday Night Free Concert Features Workman Bluegrass Band
The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce sponsors a weekly free concert at Heritage Park, First and Main Street, each Friday evening.
“This Friday’s show will feature The Workman Bluegrass Band,” Ralph Carlson, event coordinator, said. ” The group has been a very popular group with our fans fo several years. In addition to Bluegrass, they will perform Classic country, gospel, and traditional songs.”
The concert starts at 7 pm. Come early and bring a lawn chair as seating is limited.
“I am really pleased to get this outstanding group of musicians for this show,” Carlson said.
Young Entrepreneur: DeLynn Abati
This is part of a series that highlights young entrepreneurs, under 30 years of age, in Bourbon County. If you would like to nominate a young entrepreneur, submit to [email protected] the name and email/phone number of the person, along with why you are nominating them and your name.
Delynn Abati, 26, first dabbed in cake creating, that has become her livelihood, when she became engaged.
“When my husband and I got engaged, my parents sat us down and gave us a choice: they would give us a set amount of money to pay for our wedding OR we could pay for the wedding ourselves and they would give us a bigger gift on our wedding day,” Abati said.
“We decided we’d give the second option a try,” she said. “As I planned our wedding, I saved money wherever I could, somehow we managed to do that without sacrificing anything we really wanted.”
“I decided I’d use that year to learn how to make my own wedding cake,” she said. “It wasn’t a perfect cake. There are some birthday cakes that I do now that look better than our wedding cake looked, but it was cool to be able to say I did it myself.”
She was married in 2018.
Once the wedding was over, she never stopped making cakes.
Out of that challenge by her parents, came For Goodness Cakes, offering custom cakes, cupcakes, cake truffles, cake pops, and French Macarons.
“I started selling cakes originally, as a way to gain funds to go back to school,” Abati said. “The more cakes I did, however, the more I just wanted to do cakes… So I made a business of it.”
The business was technically formed on January 1, 2019.
“I did cakes informally for about six months before I started calling it a business,” Abati said. “I wanted to make sure I had a good chance of at least breaking even before I threw everything I had into this business.”
Abati works from home at her bakery business.
“I work out of my home for now,” she said. “I do not have any plans of moving my operation any time soon but that option is also always in the back of my mind.”
She loves creating and working from home.
“I have always loved creating so it’s great to be able to use my hands to create new things every day,” Abati said. “The part that I love about owning my own business is that I get to create my own hours. I am a night owl so most days of the week you’ll find me baking in my kitchen or making cake videos in my living room at 2 a.m. People think I’m crazy but I come alive at about 8 p.m. every evening. It’s great to be able to do something I love, at such a peaceful time of day.”
Abati is the only paid employee of her home business.
“It’s just me right now.,” she said. “My husband, Tony Abati; mom, Amy Drake, and mother-in-law, Sandy Abati, are always willing to help and have jumped in several times to help me deliver, set up, or sometimes even finish decorating things. I’m lucky to have them! I couldn’t do it 100% on my own.”
Recently, Abati started offering new products and services.
“Thursday, August 15th, I released a lot of new changes to FGC,” she said. “The most exciting of which, in my opinion, is the fact that I am now offering French Macarons and I am introducing a cake cutting service. The rest of the changes are listed in a Facebook and Instagram post on my page @ForGoodnessCakesFS.”
Abati’s contact info:
Call or text: 6207041315 (texts preferred for orders)
Facebook and Instagram: @ForGoodnessCakesFS
New WS Kindergarten Teacher: Jennifer Tourtillott
 Jennifer Tourtillott, 39, will teach kindergarten at Winfield Scott Elementary School this year.
This is her sixth year teaching kindergarten, after receiving her bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Pittsburg State University.
“I taught at a school called St. Andrews, in my hometown of Roswell NM,” she said. Her family includes two brothers, two sisters and her parents, who are retired educators, living in Texas.
She is married to Jason and they have two children.
“Jason is a teacher in Uniontown, for 14 years,” she said. ” Our son is Mason and he is going into 3rd grade. Our daughter is Madison and she’s going into kindergarten.”
In her spare time, she creates custom wood furniture with her husband, called Tourtillott Creations
The best part of teaching for her is:
“Giving the children a fun and loving atmosphere. (Where)They feel safe and enjoy learning,” she said.
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Fort Scott Public Library Newsletter August 2019
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Celebrate the beginning of a new school year with fellow homeschool families at our 2nd Annual Back to Homeschool Party!
September 30, 2 – 3 pm.
Enjoy snacks & drinks while participating in activities for kids & teens at this free program. Parents will discuss curriculum and schedules for the upcoming year.
WE NEED A HOMESCHOOL PARENT TO LEAD THE DISCUSSION OR ACT AS GUEST SPEAKER. INTERESTED? Email [email protected].
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Make something awesome at Maker Monday!
Upcoming meetings: August 26 & September 16, 4 – 5 pm.
Enjoy snacks & water and work as a family at this free program. Kids 2nd grade and below must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
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NPR Continues Story on Mercy Hosptal Closing
The following is part of a series from National Public Radio and Sarah Jane Tribble for Kaiser Health News on the closing of Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott, December 2018, taken from Facebook.
Nationwide, more than 100 rural hospitals have closed since 2010. The loss of these hospitals has forced a change in the way emergency care is provided, including a greater reliance on air ambulances.
Fort Scott City Commission Agenda for August 20
AGENDA
FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
FORT SCOTT CITY HALL
COMMISSION ROOM
123 SOUTH MAIN
AUGUST 20, 2019
6:00 P.M.
I. ROLL CALL:
ADAMSON BARTELSMEYER MITCHELL NICHOLS PARKER
II. FLAG SALUTE
III. INVOCATION: Pastor Paul Rooks, Grace Baptist Tabernacle
IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: None
V. CONSENT AGENDA:
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Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of August 6th, 2019.
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Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1244-A totaling $338,300.97.
VII. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:
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APPEARANCE: Terry Sercer – 2018 Audit Presentation
Zach Adams – Waggoner Group Update
B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute limit per citizen)
C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS:
6:00 p.m. – 2020 Budget Hearing – Adoption of 2020 Budget
VIII. CONSIDERATION:
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Consideration of Certificate of Appropriateness – 123 S. National – Shiney Studio – Replacement of Roof
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Consideration of approval to purchase Pumper Truck – Fire Dept.
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Consideration to secure financing for the Pumper Truck
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Consideration of street closing – Wreath Ride – August 24th
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Consideration of approval to rebid Water Treatment Plant clarifier – painting and sand blasting
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Consideration of Resolution of Intent – Purpose of Financing or Refinancing the acquisition, construction, improvement and equipping senior living – Presbyterian Manors, Inc.
IX. COMMENTS:
- Director Updates:
- Commission:
- City Manager:
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
I MOVE THAT THE CITY COMMISSION RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE
SESSION FOR ________________________________ IN ORDER TO
(see below justification)
DISCUSS ______________________________________. THE
EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE ___________ MINUTES AND THE OPEN
MEETING TO RESUME AT ________________.
Justifications for Executive Sessions:
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Personnel matters of non-elected personnel
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Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
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Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative or representatives of the body or agency
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Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships
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Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property
X. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: ROLL CALL
The Beacon Expresses Appreciation for Organization of Community Clothes Closet
The Beacon, Inc., including board members, director, and staff, wishes to express its appreciation for the efforts of the owners of the Fort Scott Washateria as they begin to organize the Community Clothes Closet, according to a press release from the helping agency.
The Beacon, Inc. had provided a clothes closet to its clients, as well as to anyone in the community for a small fee, for over thirty years.
“Due to staffing and changing needs,” said Director Gary Murrell, “We came to the decision as a board to focus more fully and creatively on funding and maintenance of the food pantry and in providing financial assistance.”
“We know that the need for a clothing closet is ongoing, but we had come to a turning point at the Beacon,” said Carol MacArthur, board chairwoman. “We simply had to make changes.”
“The organization of this Community Clothes Closet is most certainly an answer to prayer,” said Murrell.
The Beacon, Inc., in existence for almost forty years, began as churches in the community came together to serve the needs of Fort Scott and Bourbon County.
They have provided those struggling in the community as a food pantry and in offering financial assistance, dominantly through the efforts of community-related donations.
Currently, the organization provides food and financial assistance, as well as other services; i.e., books, through a free library of donations, and new, or like-new, clothing, shoes, and bedding from community drives and individuals.
“If an organization does a drive of new things (clothes) perhaps,” MacArthur. “That (donation)is set up with Gary Murrell (the director) beforehand. We always need blankets. If someone has a need for work clothing or boots, we will help as much as we can. And we do meet special needs like that, to get people to work. Our focus is on food and financial assistance. That in itself is a struggle.”
The Beacon is located at 525 E. Sixth Street, Fort Scott, Ks. 66701, and is open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with one exception.
On the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, the Beacon is closed during the day and is open instead from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The phone number is 620-223- 6869, and visitors are welcome to visit the facility.